Structural basis for the specific inhibition of heterotrimeric Gq protein by a small molecule

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) transmit extracellular stimuli perceived by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to intracellular signaling cascades. Hundreds of GPCRs exist in humans and are the targets of a large percentage of the pharmaceutical drugs used today. Because G proteins are regulated by GPCRs, small molecules that directly modulate G proteins have the potential to become therapeutic agents. However, strategies to develop modulators have been hampered by a lack of structural knowledge of targeting sites for specific modulator binding. Here we present the mechanism of action of the cyclic depsipeptide YM-254890, which is a recently discovered G(q)-selective inhibitor. YM-254890 specifically inhibits the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of alpha subunit of G(q) protein (G alpha(q)) by inhibiting the GDP release from G alpha(q). X-ray crystal structure analysis of the G alpha(q)beta gamma-YM-254890 complex shows that YM-254890 binds the hydrophobic cleft between two interdomain linkers connecting the GTPase and helical domains of the G alpha(q). The binding stabilizes an inactive GDP-bound form through direct interactions with switch I and impairs the linker flexibility. Our studies provide a novel targeting site for the development of small molecules that selectively inhibit each G alpha subunit and an insight into the molecular mechanism of G protein activation.